Pinus banksiana is easily
recognized by the short, fascicled (paired) leaves and the
orientation of
the cones which point toward the tip of the branch rather
than being reflexed as in P. sylvestris. The needles
are 2-5 cm long, averaging shorter than P. sylvestris
(4-6 cm), but there is some overlap in length. Pinus
sylvestris is basically a cultivated yard tree in Wisconsin,
but occasionally escapes near plantings, primarily in residential
areas. Pinus banksiana is a native species that is
rarely if ever cultivated as a yard species, although in
addition to its naturally- occurring populations it has
been planted into numerous "plantations" in easily
recognized rows in rural areas of northern Wisconsin.

Pinus banksiana is decidedly
northern in distribution, the main portion of its range
extending from the Northwest Territories and Alberta to
Nova Scotia, south to Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan,Vermont
and Maine. In Wisconsin it is found in dry, sandy, sunny
sites throughout the state, but is absent in regions with
more productive soils and stable forest canopies. It is
associated with fire to which it is well adapted.